Real time transmission of photographic images from portable handheld devices

ABSTRACT

A system and method for effectively performing a streamlined photo distribution procedure is disclosed. A source device initially captures a photographic image of a target or subject using known techniques. The term “photographic image” as used herein is not limited to single photographs but includes moving pictures, video images and any other known or future means of capturing an image of an event. The source device is likewise broadly defined and includes, but is not limited to, digital cameras, video cameras, cell phones with digital photo capture means, computers, including PDAs or other devices or combination of devices with communication and photo capture means, and other image capture means.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation patent application and claims thepriority benefit of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/491,026, filed on Jun. 7, 2012, titled “REAL-TIME TRANSMISSION OFPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES FROM PORTABLE HANDHELD DEVICES” and assigned U.S.Pat. No. 8,634,712, which is a Continuation-In-Part patent applicationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/715,049, filed on Mar. 6, 2007,titled “REAL TIME TRANSMISSION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES FROM PORTABLEHANDHELD DEVICES,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,224,178, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The invention relates generally to a simplified process for real timecapture using a remote device and transmission of electronicinformation, which includes photo or video images along with a voicememo and geographical data, via a wireless network to a target location,such as a live website. More particularly, it is directed to techniquesand devices for capturing photographic or video images (for example,using a digital camera or a cellular telephone) and automatically oreasily transmitting those images in a secure manner to a pre-designatedsite along with descriptive material regarding the image such as time,date, geographical location, and photographic data along with a verbalor written description of the image. This information can also beapplied to the image in an unmodifiable, verifiable manner so that itcan constitute legally acceptable evidence regarding the image capturedand the data contemporaneously added to the image.

BACKGROUND

Systems and equipment are currently available that allow the capture ofphotographic or video images with a camera or cellular phone/cameracombination, transferring the photo or video to portable memory devices,and then connecting the portable memory device to a computer and savingthe image in memory devices which are a part of the computer, with adesignated file name for the photo or video being added by the computeroperator. The computer operator can also add a caption to the image, andit can be posted to a website or transmitted over computer linkages toother parties. Available equipment can also provide a legend on theimages of the date and time of the image, if the equipment ispre-programmed to do so by the user.

The prior art includes several examples of methods to provide the senderthe capability to prove both the dispatch, the receipt, and the contentsof material sent electronically as well as to protect the informationreceived by the recipient so that it is resistant to tampering ormodification or at least indicates that the information has beenmodified from that original sent. These techniques may also includeencryption so that only authorized recipients are allowed to view thetransmitted information. U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,219 to Feldbau et al. isone example of such a data transmission scheme. U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,564to Olkin et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,184 to Hind et al. are examplesof secure email systems.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,226 to Wang et al. is directed to a system tofacilitate the capture, processing, and archiving of user interactiveevents which may appear as a screen image on devices within acommunications network such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant(PDA), or personal computer (PC). The user can interact with the devicedirecting that a captured image, which is stored in the device ortransferred to a designated remote server device, may include words orphrases, highlighted portions of the image, certain validationinformation such as a time stamp, users' identity information, or thedevice information.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,568 to Garfinkle is directed to a digital camerahaving an image processor that can communicate a picture (image) takenwith the camera over a bus to a processor in a remote computer. Theprocessor sends the image to a telecommunications link, such as a cellphone, which in turn sends the image to a designated electronic mailingaddress. The processor can be programmed to immediately transmit theimage or delay transmission so the user can add information to the imagebeing sent using the computer key board and computer mouse. While thecamera has the capability for transmitting an image to a computer, itdoes not provide the ability to add descriptive information to the imagewhen it is taken. This task is accomplished at a later time when theuser has time to access the computer and label the images.

Published Application 2005/0114459 to Tu et al. is directed to a photodistribution procedure. A photo source, such as a camcorder, digitalcamera, cell phone with photo capability, or a webcam, provides photodata to a device programmed to send the photo data to designatedtargets.

There are also services and software that can be utilized to assist cellphone users in simplifying and streamlining the process of uploadingphotos and videos from camera-equipped cell phones to remote locations.

According to ShoZu (formerly Ognima), software installed in a cell phoneassists the user in transferring the images captured by the digitalphone, camera to the user's video or photo sharing website using asingle click. The ShoZu marketing information states that the user isprovided with the ability to add titles, descriptions, and tags to theimage before or after it is uploaded. If the phone is equipped withGlobal Positioning System (GPS) capability, geo-tags can also be addedto the transferred photo.

PixSense, Santa Clara, Calif., claims their patent pending compressionsoftware allows for high resolution digital images to be transferred,with a single click, from a mobile phone to a dedicated website. Basedon their public announcements, the user must then access the website toadd information to the images received at the dedicated website, becausethe desired information is not transferred with the images.

However, these existing processes are cumbersome for the user becausethey involve several steps, and they require time and varioustechnologies to complete all the steps. Further, it is subject to faultymemory when the labels are added to the website images, and the legendsapplied may be tampered with or modified by the user or recipient.Therefore, there is a need for a simple, automated, user-friendly, andstreamlined process that eliminates individual steps required fortransmission, posting, and labeling of images captured by a remotedigital photo device.

There is also a need for photo capture and transmission devices thatprovide enhanced device functionality while still maintaining asufficient level of user-friendliness and ease-of-operation for thecommon consumer who may have a lesser level of technical sophistication.Additionally, for some purposes, the provenance and authenticity ofimages need to be guaranteed.

While various devices provide means to add some information to the imagetransmitted, no prior devices provide systems that enable a user toprovide a recorded voice memo and then transmit, transcribe, and post areadable text to a website or other target posting location in realtime. In addition, no system is known that enables a user to transmitand post a photo, or video, and an audio file captured from a remotedevice to a website in real time. Still further, there is no systemwhich provides the capability to capture a photo image, transmit thatimage to designated targets in a secure manner and, at the same time,automatically identify the parameters of the image (time, date andlocation, etc.) and add electronically transmittable comments regardingthe image.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method foreffectively performing a streamlined photo distribution procedure isdisclosed. A source device initially captures a photographic image of atarget or subject using known techniques. The term “photographic image”as used herein is not limited to single photographs but includes movingpictures, video images, and any other known or future means of capturingan image of an event. The source device is likewise broadly defined andincludes, but is not limited to, digital cameras, video cameras, cellphones with digital photo capture means, computers, PDAs, or otherdevices or combinations of devices with communication and photo captureand other image capture means.

A streamlined process and apparatus is set forth for the real timecapture, transmission, and posting of photos or videos to a livewebsite, or one or more other target locations, with the automaticinclusion of information regarding the photo, such as geographicallocation, time of the image, and other elements capable of beingcaptured from a remote device. This simplified process eliminates theneed for the user to enter that information or to transmit, transcribe,organize, authenticate, upload, and post elements captured from a remotedevice. The system allows the user to add descriptive information orcommentary regarding the image by a keyed entry or, alternatively,verbal description, which is directly converted to a written descriptionusing voice recognition software.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image transmission system, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of an imagetransmission system incorporating features of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a further embodiment of an imagetransmission system in which the image is captured by a separate devicethat transmits the image to an intermediate processor.

FIG. 4 is an operational flow diagram of a first embodiment of theinvention illustrating the steps for capturing an image andautomatically transmitting the image to a target with user selected anduser supplied information.

FIG. 5 is an operational flow diagram illustrating the steps forcapturing and automatically transmitting an image using hashing.

FIG. 6 is an operational flow diagram illustrating the steps forcapturing and automatically transmitting an image using digitally signedhashing.

FIG. 7 is an operational flow diagram illustrating the steps forcapturing and automatically transmitting an image using digitally signedhashing and steganography.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A photograph image capture device 110 provides for a streamlined, realtime transmission of the image to a target site along with descriptivematerial, geographical location, and other image specific elements. Thisstreamlined process provides the user the ability to pre-establish theinformation to be collected and the address of the target or targets sothat no individual action beyond capturing the image is necessary inorder for the user to capture the image and transmit, transcribe,organize, upload, and post elements captured by the image capture device110.

Systems and software are available for the transmission of computergenerated data and particularly emails from a source to a recipient sitein a manner which assures that the document received at the recipientend is a true copy of the original and that subsequent transmissionsthereof provide the same document in an unmodified form. Further, theseprograms provide unmodifiable and verifiable data as to the time thedocument is transmitted and/or received. However, in many instances, thecritical information is not about when the document or data istransmitted but when the document or data was generated. For example,where the document is a photographic image, the time it is transmittedis not as important as when and where (and possibly how) the image wascaptured. Further, it is also desirable to provide a contemporaneousverbal or written description of what is being photographed and possiblywhat transpired immediately prior to or after the image was taken. Thiscapability would provide, to a traveler, the ability to generate adigital image of a subject (friends or relatives, scenery or buildings,sports events, etc.) and automatically transmit each image as it istaken to a remote designated site for storage or access by others. Theimage received at the target site is accompanied by all the informationnecessary to determine where and when the picture was taken along withan oral or written narrative describing the event. Likewise, suchcapability would have unique value to news photographers, lawenforcement personnel gathering information about a crime scene, realestate sales personnel collecting data on properties for sale,archivists collecting data to memorialize events, photo artists who wishto keep a record of how and when the photo-art image was created, andnumerous other situations where a contemporaneous record of an event isof importance.

While technology exists to perform each of the various functions setforth herein independently, no system has been constructed whichassembles all of the components in a single, easily manipulated andcontrolled manner and provides the user the interoperability necessaryfor all, or selected ones, of the functions to be performed with theability to, contemporaneously with the image capture, send that image ina controlled and secure manner to a desired location for storage anddisplay, with the image received at the target site including sufficientdata to immediately, and in a tamper proof manner, fully identify when,where, and how the image was captured along with the user'scontemporaneous description of the event captured in the image. In apreferred embodiment, a user is able to record a voice memo using theimage capture device 110, and then transmit, transcribe, and post aphoto or video, along with the audio file contemporaneously captured, toa website or other target posting location in real time, with the audiofile being available at the target site as an audio output or readabletext.

While the system has the capability of transmitting multiple pieces ofinformation to the remote site, the user may choose to transmit selectedpieces of information. All elements capable of being captured on aremote device need not be included in the real time transmission andposting process. For example, a user may capture a single photo, withoutcapturing any other accompanying elements, and then transmit and postthe single photo to a website in real time. Prior to capturing theelements using the remote image capture device 110, the user canpre-designate preferences such as selecting one or more target postinglocations and enabling or disabling other automatic inclusions such ascamera settings, geo-codes or geo-tags, or time and date displays.

In one embodiment, a user can capture a video with the remote imagecapture device 110, capture the geo-code of the device user's location,and then transmit and post the video to a predefined intranet orInternet site in real time. Alternatively, the user may capture a photo,orally record a photo title and a description of the subject beingphotographed, capture identifier tags for the photo, and then transmitand post the photo, subject description, and tags as one unit to apredefined, personalized social networking webpage in real time.

The present invention thus provides a streamlined, efficient, anduser-friendly mechanism for distributing photographic images along withall relevant data regarding the image to remotely located, designatedtarget devices.

Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the concepts set forth hereinmay be applied to other devices for immediate transmission ofinformation captured in other than a photographic format. Thus, thepresent invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shownor described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with theprinciples and features described herein.

Digital camera devices have traditionally been stand-alone offlinedevices. On the other hand, cellular phones have recently beenconfigured to include a digital camera along with the capability totransmit digital images separate from or during a telephone conversationto the other party of the telephone conversation. Certain embodiments ofthe present invention effectively combine functionalities and improvedimage quality of digital cameras with the communication capabilities ofcellular phones or computers in an online networked environment tosupport an automatic streamlined distribution model for the transfer ofdigital images along with various appropriate types of electronicinformation.

The present invention comprises a system and method for effectivelytransmitting a photographic image to a target device in an electronicnetwork, and a data manager for identification and description of theimage captured and transmitted. The user can program the image capturedevice to automatically access data related to the image captured toautomatically create a message and attach the data and message to thephotograph image so that an observer at the target site hasinformational details regarding the image transmitted, all occurring inreal-time.

In some embodiments, to guarantee the provenance and authenticity ofimages captured and transmitted, authentication and anti-tamperingmechanisms can be applied. One such mechanism can include hashing. Whenan image is captured, a secure hash for the image can be computed usinga secure hash algorithm (for example, SHA-2). The computed hash outputcan be appended to the captured image and transmitted to a targetdevice. Upon receipt, the target device can extract the secure hashoutput, compute a separate secure hash for the transmitted image andcompare them to each other. The secure hash code for the transmittedfile can be stored, in a database with the transmitted image. Theoriginality of the image can be identified by a means of comparing thehash of the presumptive original image to the stored hash. This way itcan be confirmed that that this is the original image and has not beentampered with.

Hashing may be used in combination with digital signatures. The user maysign the hash output using his private key in the usual way known bythose skilled in the art, and transmit the signed hash output andcaptured image to a target device. The signed hash can be stored in adatabase separate from the captured image, and when required, thedigital signature can be verified with the user's public key.

In a preferred embodiment, authentication and anti-tampering mechanismscan be further improved by using steganography. Using steganographyfacilitates permanently embedding the signed hash into the actual imagesource as a watermark, with the removal of the watermark possible onlyby using a steg key. Additionally, the signed hash has no impact on thequality of the image.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of anelectronic network 100 for the capture and transmission of aphotographic image along with data relevant to that image. Theelectronic network 100 may preferably include, but is not limited to, animage capture device 110, a wireless network 140 for transmitting thecaptured image, and one or more target devices 142 for receiving theimage. One or more of the target devices 142 can be programmed tofurther distribute the received image information over the Internet 150to designated addresses. Features and functions included in the imagecapture device 110 are described below. The wireless network 140 can beany of various presently available systems, or systems which may bedeveloped in the future, for transmitting data from a source to arecipient including, but not limited to, wireless or cellular networks,the Internet, or combinations thereof. Thus the captured data and imagesmay be transmitted by wireless transmission (one skilled in the art willrecognize that a broad range of frequencies have been dedicated totransmission of data and voice signals), cellular networks, satellitecommunications systems, or through hardwire or optical cable networks,or any combination of these techniques used to transmit data. As shownschematically in FIG. 1, the remote image capture device 110 transmitsand posts captured images in an electronic format to one or more targetposting locations in real time. While FIG. 1 shows one target device142, this may also represent several target devices 142. Target postinglocations include, but are not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, afile server, a third-party database, a hard drive, or other networkedlocation. The remote device and the target posting location maycommunicate with each other using appropriate peer-to-peer communicationtechniques. The target devices 142 can also be any of numerous devicescurrently used to receive and display such information such as cellularphones, computer networks, or video display systems. In a preferredembodiment, the image capture device 110 is a camera equipped cell phoneor a digital camera in direct communication with a cell phone, the imageand information is transmitted through a cellular wireless network 140,and the target device 142 is a designated web site accessible byauthorized recipients through the Internet or a computer programmed toreceive and further distribute the information received.

The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown ordescribed but to encompass the widest scope of image capture,alternative transmission, and targets consistent with the system andfeatures described.

Numerous devices currently exist for capturing an image. The remoteimage capture device 110 may include, but is not limited to, cellularphones, digital cameras, digital video recorders, webcams, PDA, andother portable or hand held computer systems which include image capturecapability. The image capture device 110 may be an assembly of devicescomprising a combination of components (for example, a digital cameraconnected wirelessly or hardwired to a cell phone) that can alsointerface with a PDA or portable computer, all interconnected at theimage capture/transmission end of the system. Alternatively, a singledevice such as an iPhone or Android, which is a palm hand-held computerwith cell phone and digital image capture capabilities, can beprogrammed to provide all of the described capability. The remote imagecapture device(s) 110 or assembly can also store the captured electronicinformation and image locally. Functions included in the remote imagecapture device(s) 110 or assembly can include, but are not limited to, aphoto capture or video capture digital camera 116, voice recorder 118attached to a microphone 120, voice recognition software 144 (which maybe located either in the image capture device 110 or the target device142), location identifying capability such as a GPS chip 136 andsatellite communications capability (referred to as geo-codingcapability), date generating software 124 capable of periodicallydisplaying local time (for example, a time chip 138 for receiving datatransmission from an official time source, such as the Time ServiceDepartment of the U.S. Naval Observatory Master Clock, whichcontinuously transmits accurate standard time signals), or any othertype of electronic information that may be captured with the remotedevice. The image capture device 110 also provides an address modulewhich includes target data 122. The user can enter and store addressesin the address module and then select target addresses, such as phonenumbers or Internet addresses of target devices 142.

The present technology provides to the user of the image capture device110 the ability to automatically add various photo identification tagsand written descriptors to a photographic image record received at thetarget site. This includes the GPS generated geographic location of theremote device and accompanying voice recordings. The image capturedevice 110 can also include voice recognition software 144 to translatethe voice recordings into readable text, or the recorded message can besent as a verbal message, in the same manner as a cell phone transmitsthe spoken word, with the verbal description converted into written textby an intermediary server or voice recognition software 144 at thetarget device 142. The photo, accompanying verbal or readable textelements, geo-code, and other data can be posted to the user-definedtarget location in real time with a copy stored in the memory 126 of theimage capture device 110 or placed in memory 126 for later transmission.The system provides the remote device user with the ability to captureand transmit all the electronic information using a single clickcontemporaneous with the image capture or, at the user's choice, at sometime thereafter following verification by the user of the generated dateand voice record. In either event, the image is transmitted togetherwith data generated at the moment of the image capturing. If sent at alater time, data regarding the transmission parameters can also beadded.

In alternate embodiments, the electronic network 100 may readily beimplemented using various components and configurations in addition to,or instead of, those discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 1embodiment.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment, the image capture device 110 and targetdevice(s) 142 may be implemented as any type of appropriate electronicdevices. For example, in certain embodiments, the image capture device110 and target device(s) 142 may be stationary or portableconsumer-electronics data or information collection and display devices,as further discussed below. In the FIG. 1 embodiment, image capturedevice 110 and target device(s) 142 may utilize appropriatecommunication software 128 to transmit the information from the imagecapture-device 110 through a wireless network 140 to the target device142. The target device 142 can also have appropriate messaging software146 for posting the received image and appended data, to a website 148,and thus to the Internet 150.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment, photo capture component 112 of the imagecapture device 110 may include any appropriate source of photo data. Forexample, the photo data source may include, but is not limited to,various types of electronic camera devices that may capture photo data.In certain embodiments, the photo data source may also include otherelectronic devices capable of either capturing or storing photo data forsubsequently downloading to image capture device 110. For example, thephoto data source may include, but is not limited to, a camcorder (aportable video camera with built-in recorder), a digital camera 116 suchas shown in FIG. 1, or a webcam device that is configured to capture andprovide photographic image data. In addition, in accordance with thepresent invention, the image capture device 110 may receive or accessany other desired type of data for performing a streamlined distributionprocedure. The concepts and principles of the present invention aretherefore not limited to distributing image data, but may readily beapplied to any other type of electronic information.

In accordance with the present invention, image capture device 110automatically transmits the image and photo data to one or moredesignated target device(s) 142, which can then automatically store thetransmitted, photo data locally for use by corresponding users of thetarget device(s) 142. In certain embodiments, the Internet 150 or anyother type of electronic data distribution network including, but notlimited to, an intranet configuration, may be used to further distributethe transmitted image and data. Furthermore, in other embodiments, theimage capture device 110 and target device(s) 142 may alternatelycommunicate directly with each other using appropriate peer-to-peercommunication techniques. The implementation and utilization of imagecapture device 110 is further discussed below in conjunction with FIG.3.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, block diagrams for two embodiments of the imagecapture device 110 are shown, in accordance with the present invention.The image capture device 110 preferably may include, but is not limitedto, a central processing unit (CPU) 130, a display 134, a memory 126,and one or more input/output (I/O) interfaced) interface(s). Theforegoing components of image capture device 110 may preferably becoupled to communicate with each other to assemble the image and datacollected, place a copy thereof in memory 126, and transmit theassembled information to the wireless network 140 for receipt by thetarget device 142. In alternate embodiments, image capture device 110may readily be implemented using various components and configurationsin addition to, or instead of, those discussed in conjunction with theFIG. 1 embodiment.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment, CPU 130 may be implemented to include anyappropriate and compatible microprocessor device that preferablyexecutes software instructions to thereby control and manage theoperation of image capture device 110. In the FIG. 1 embodiment, display134 may include any effective type of display technology, including acathode-ray-tube (CRT) monitor or a liquid-crystal display (LCD) device,with an appropriate screen for displaying information to the deviceuser. In the FIG. 1 embodiment, memory 126 may be implemented to includeany combination of desired storage devices, including, but not limitedto, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and varioustypes of non-volatile memory, such as floppy disks, memory sticks,compact disks, or hard disks.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment, data input device 132 may include one or moreinput and/or output interfaces to receive and/or transmit any requiredtypes of information supplied by the user. The data input, device 132may include one or more means for allowing a device user to communicatewith the CPU 130. For example, the foregoing means may include akeyboard device, a wireless remote-control device, microphone 120, agraphical user interface with touchscreen capability, a hand-held devicecontroller unit, or a selection, button array mounted externally onimage capture device 110. As shown in FIG. 2, a voice recognitionsoftware 144 can receive voice messages from the microphone 120 forcontrol purposes to generate a text message.

While the above description is directed to the image capture device 110,the various target device(s) 142 can also include the same or similarconfigurations and functionalities as discussed above in conjunctionwith the FIG. 1 representation of image capture device 110.

The system software may include program instructions that are preferablyexecuted by CPU 130 to perform various functions and operations for theimage capture device 110. The particular nature and functionality ofsystem software typically varies depending upon factors such as thespecific type and particular functionality of the components includedand data generated by or with, the image capture device 110.

Captured photographic images can include digital image data,corresponding to an electronic photograph captured from a photo datasource (i.e., digital camera 116). In addition, the image captured mayinclude various types of ancillary data associated with thecorresponding digital image data. For example, the foregoing ancillarydata may include, but is not limited to, an image capture date and time,an image capture location, image settings 114, image format information,and various types of user-generated, image annotation information. Incertain embodiments, the foregoing ancillary data may be displayed, inconjunction with corresponding photo data, on both the display 134 andsubsequently a display on the target device 142.

The transferred image includes photo identifier information verballyentered into image capture device 110 as part of the image collectionand transmission process. The verbally entered information can beconverted to text by voice recognition software 144 resident in thetarget device 142 (FIG. 1) or included as part of the image capturedevice 110 (FIG. 2). In accordance with the present invention, thetarget devices 142 may then use the verbally supplied photo informationor text generated therefrom to automatically populate identified foldersin the target devices 142.

Information received at the target can also include any appropriate typeof additional information associated with the corresponding photo. Forexample, transmitted information may include information for cataloging,organizing, or identifying photo images.

While FIGS. 1 and 2 show the digital camera 116 as part of the imagecapture device 110, in certain embodiments of the present invention, asshown in FIG. 3, the photo source may be any appropriate type ofportable electronic device with imaging capability (such as a digitalcamera 116) that may remotely capture photo data. The portableelectronic device then automatically delivers the captured photo data toa data processor 310 via any appropriate distributed electronic networkby which utilizing either wireless or hard-wired communicationstechniques. The data processor 310 includes all the components andfunctionality discussed above then assembles and transmits the image andappended data.

In certain embodiments, the device user may select a master target forautomatically receiving photo and other data into a photo album. Themaster target would assemble the images. A device user may thus selectan appropriate album address and thereafter propagate the photo data toadditional message targets that share that particular photo album. Forexample, a first photo album may be shared by family members, a secondphoto album may be shared by a group of friends, and a third photoalbum, may be shared by a group of co-workers. In such a scenario, allfamily members may each have a copy of the first photo album on theirindividual devices. When one family member captures photo data andselects the first photo album address, then each copy of the first photoalbum may be automatically updated to include the captured photo data.

Designated message targets may receive photographs from the imagecapture device 110 or data processor 310 by utilizing correspondingtarget devices 142. Each of the target, devices 142 may then store thereceived photographs directly into an inbox of that target device 142.In such an implementation, if a particular message target is a member ofmore than one photo album group, then photographs for multiple differentphoto albums may be received and stored in the same inbox of thecorresponding target device 142.

In order to use any of the embodiments of the invention set forthherein, or modifications thereof, the user would first populate adirectory in the image capture device 110 with addresses of targetdevices 142. These can be websites where the image and related data isto be delivered or, alternatively, telephone numbers, such as cell phonenumbers of designated recipients with phones having image displayfeatures. This can be accomplished in a manner similar to enteringpreselected phone numbers in a contacts list in a cell phone. The userwould also preselect the type of data to be appended to the image (forexample, time, date, GPS location, camera settings), and whether averbal message, or text message created from the verbal message, is tobe added, and when they are to be added (prior to image capture,simultaneous to image capture, or alter image capture). The data andform of message to be appended to the image may be separately enteredfor each image or set of images or may be included as standardinstructions saved along with the target address in the contacts list.The user would also select whether a one click, two click, or multipleclick technique is to be used, or whether images should be transmittedas taken or an album is to be assembled prior to transmission. Thesealternatives can all be selected using a touch sensitive image transfersetup screen on the display 134 or using selected buttons on the datainput device 312.

FIG. 4 depicts an operational flow diagram 400 of some embodiments ofthe invention set forth herein. In step 410, an image is captured from aremote device. In step 420, data, such as photo subject data, identifiertags, and photo description, is captured from a remote device. In step430, a geo-code location is automatically captured from the remotedevice. In step 440, a request to transmit data, such as an image, voicerecording, and geo-code, to a server is received. In step 450, theserver to which the data has been transmitted transcribes the voicerecordings into readable text. In step 460, a system or systems storesthe data, including image, text, and geo-code data, in a database andposts the data to a target location in real time.

Once the necessary operating parameters (target address, data to beappended, delivery procedure, etc.) are entered into the image capturedevice 110, the user can proceed with capturing images using thedescribed device. If a single click operation is chosen, when the usersnaps an image, the image is automatically transmitted to the targetwith all the appended data and the prior recorded verbal message. If theverbal message is recorded simultaneously, transmission will wait forcompletion of the message, which can be signaled by a word command(“end” or “send,” for example). The image, data, and recorded verbalmessage (or text message generated therefrom) will then appear at thetarget after a lapse of time necessary for the data to be assembled, andtransmitted over the wireless network 140. If the verbal message is tobe added after the image is captured, the image and data generated withthe first click are stored in the memory 126 of the image capture device110. The user can add the verbal message immediately thereafter, andgive the word command to send or use a second click. As a furtheralternative, the message can be added at some time thereafter, and theimages with messages and data can be sent individually or as an album.As a further alternative, a single message can be added to a set ofimages prior to sending as an album. For example, if the images are ofscenery, a single message such as “Three views of a fountain in Rome”could be appended to the three images when sent. As a furtheralternative, a simple click or multiple click procedure can be used totransmit the image and data without the verbal or text message. Thedescription can then be added at the target device 142, either by keyentry, or verbally using voice recognition software 144 installed in thetarget device 142.

The user of the image capture device 110 may capture and automaticallytransmit image data by utilizing either a single-action (“one click”)technique or a multiple-action (“two click”) technique. The user of theimage capture device 110 may simply preselect a message target or agroup of message targets so that upon capturing an image using any ofthe embodiments disclosed herein, or variations thereof the capturedimage is automatically transmitted along with image data. Using asingle-action technique, the data to be appended to the image and thetarget are preselected. The one click necessary to capture the imagealso functions to transmit the image and data. Alternately, the deviceuser may utilize a multiple-action technique by first capturing thephoto data, and then subsequently selecting a message target or a groupof message targets to trigger automatically transmitting the photo data.As a further alternative, a verbal, description, can be provided priorto, simultaneous with image capturing, immediately thereafter, or justprior to initiating transfer.

In a further embodiment, a user of image capture device 110 or digitalcamera 116 with data processor 310 may capture and automaticallytransmit image data by utilizing either a single-action (“one click”)technique or a multiple-action (“multiple click”) technique. Forexample, the device user may simply select a photo album and triggerboth capturing and automatically transmitting image data using asingle-action technique. In the single-action technique, a messagetarget may not need to be selected because specific message targets maybe associated with a particular photo album. Alternately, the deviceuser may utilize a multiple-action technique by first capturing theimage data, and then subsequently selecting a photo album to triggerautomatically transmitting the image data. In certain instances, thedevice user may also include a separate middle step to choose specificmessage targets.

The present invention thus provides a streamlined, efficient, anduser-friendly mechanism for distributing images, relevant data relatedthereto, and verbal labels and/or descriptions of the image todesignated target devices 142 for viewing by designated parties or toautomatically populate photo albums at designated target devices 142.

FIG. 5 is an operational flow diagram illustrating the steps forcapturing and automatically transmitting an image including a hashoutput. At step 502, an image can be captured. Then, identificationinformation can be appended to the image at step 504, and at step 506, asecure hash for the image can be computed using a secure hash algorithm(for example, SHA-2). At step 508, the computed hash output can beappended to the captured image, and transmitted together with it to atarget device at step 510. Upon receipt at the target device, the securehash output can be extracted at step 512, and a separate secure hash forthe original transmitted image can be computed at step 514. The hashcodes can be compared to each other at step 516. If the hash codes arenot identical, an indication that the transmitted image differs from theoriginal in some way can be raised at step 518. If on the other hand,the hash codes are identical, the transmitted image can be stored in adatabase at step 520.

FIG. 6 is an operational flow diagram illustrating the steps forcapturing and automatically transmitting an image using digitally signedhashing. At step 602, an image can be captured. Identificationinformation can be appended to the image at step 604, and at step 606, asecure hash, for the image can be computed, using a secure hashalgorithm (for example, SHA-2), At step 608, the hash output can besigned using a digital signature. At step 610, the digitally signed hashoutput can be appended to the captured image, and transmitted to atarget device at step 612. Upon receipt at the target device, the signedhash digest can be verified using a public key at step 614, and aseparate secure hash for the original transmitted image can be computedat step 616. The hash codes can be compared at step 618. If the hashcodes are not identical, an indication that the file differs from theoriginal in some way can be raised at step 620. If, on the other hand,the hash codes are identical, the transmitted image can be stored in adatabase at step 622.

FIG. 7 is an operational flow diagram illustrating the steps forcapturing and automatically transmitting an image using digitally signedhashing and steganography. At step 702, an image can be captured. Then,identification information can be appended to the image at step 704, andat step 706, a secure hash for the image can be computed using a securehash algorithm (for example, SHA-2). At step 708, the hash output can besigned using a digital signature. Then, at step 710, a steg key can beobtained from a target device, and at step 712, the signed hash digestcan be injected into the captured image. The image can be transmitted tothe target device at step 714. Upon receipt at the target device, thesigned hash digest can be extracted from the image using the steg key atstep 716 and verified using a public key at step 718. Then, a separatesecure hash for the original transmitted image can be computed at step720. The hash codes can be compared at step 722, and if they are notidentical, an indication that the transmitted file differs from theoriginal in some way can be raised at step 724, or, if they areidentical, the transmitted image can be stored in a database at step726. The use of steganography gives the advantage of permanentlyattaching the hash digest to the image file.

In various embodiments as described herein, example embodiments includeat least the following examples.

A system for capturing and transmitting digital data, the systemcomprising:

-   -   a digital camera for capturing visual data in a digital format;    -   a memory unit for storing the visual data captured by the        digital camera;    -   a global positioning system chip for determining location data        concerning a location where the visual data is captured by the        digital camera, the location data being stored in the memory        unit;    -   an application executable to annotate the visual data with        time-stamp data, the time-stamp data being stored in the memory        unit; and    -   a wireless transmitter for secure transmission of the one or        more of the following over a wirelesses network to a target        site: the visual data, the location data, and the    -   time-stamp data, wherein the target site is predetermined by the        wireless transmitter and the visual data is maintained in a        secure manner.

The system as claimed above, wherein the visual data includes individualdigital images.

The system as claimed above, wherein the individual digital images arecaptured as a part of an album.

The system as claimed above, wherein the visual data includes video.

The system as claimed above, wherein the time-stamp information includestime and date that the visual data was acquired.

The system as claimed above, wherein the time-stamp information includestime and date that the visual data is transmitted to the target site.

The system as claimed above, wherein the visual data is transmittedconcurrent with a user-generated annotation about the visual data.

The system as claimed above, wherein the user-generated annotation is atext, an audio recording, or a text obtained by voice recognition.

The system as claimed above, wherein the visual data, the location data,and the time-stamp data are transmitted immediately after acquiring.

The system as claimed above, wherein the visual data, the location data,and the time-stamp data are transmitted upon a user request.

The system as claimed above, wherein the target site is a web sitedesignated by a user.

The system as claimed above, wherein the target site is an electronicin-box designated by the user.

The system as claimed above, further comprising an encryption module toencrypt verification information in the visual data.

The system as claimed above, wherein hashing is used to verilyoriginality of one or more of the visual data, the location data, andthe time-stamp data.

The system as claimed above, wherein the hashing is used in combinationwith a digital signature to verify the originality of one or more of thevisual data, the location data, and the time-stamp data.

The system as claimed above, wherein the hashing is used in combinationwith the digital signature and steganography to verify the originalityof one or more of the visual data, the location data, and the time-stampdata.

A method for capturing and transmitting digital data, the methodcomprising:

-   -   capturing visual data in a digital format;    -   storing the captured visual data in a digital format;    -   acquiring location data based on a location where the visual        data is captured by the digital camera, the location data being        stored in a memory unit;    -   annotating the visual data with time-stamp data, the time-stamp        data being stored in the memory unit; and    -   securely transmitting the visual data, the location data, and        the time-stamp data over a wireless network to a pre-designated        target site with no user input required to trigger transmission.

The method as claimed above, further comprising:

-   -   appending identification information to the visual data;    -   computing verification information for the visual data;    -   appending the verification information to the visual data to be        transmitted over a wireless network, to a pre-designated target        site with no user input required to trigger transmission; and    -   securely storing the visual data at the pre-designated target        site.

The method as claimed above, wherein the visual data includes individualdigital images.

The method as claimed above, wherein the individual digital images arecaptured as a part of an album.

The method as claimed above, wherein the visual data includes video.

The method as claimed above, wherein the time-stamp information includestime and date associated with acquisition of the visual data.

The method as claimed above, wherein the time-stamp information includestime and date associated with the visual data.

The method as claimed above, wherein the visual data is transmittedconcurrently with a user-generated annotation associated with the visualdata.

The method as claimed above, wherein the user-generated annotationincludes a text, an audio recording, or a text obtained through voicerecognition.

The method as claimed above, wherein the visual data, the location data,and the time-stamp data are transmitted substantially immediately afteracquiring.

The method as claimed above, wherein the visual data, the location data,and the time-stamp data are transmitted upon a user request.

The method as claimed above, wherein the target site includes a web sitedesignated by a user.

The method as claimed above, wherein the target site includes anelectronic in-box designated by the user.

The method as claimed above, wherein hashing is used to verifyoriginality of one or more of the visual data, the location data, andthe time-stamp data.

The method as claimed above, wherein the hashing is used in combinationwith a digital signature to verify the originality of one or more of thevisual data, the location data, and the time-stamp data.

The method as claimed above, wherein the hashing is used in combinationwith the digital signature and steganography to verity the originalityof one or more of the visual data, the location data, and the time-stampdata.

The invention is set forth herein with reference to certain embodiments.Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in lightof this disclosure. For example, the present invention may readily beimplemented using certain configurations and techniques other than thosedescribed in the specific embodiments above. Additionally, the presentinvention may effectively be used in conjunction with systems other thanthose described above. Therefore, these and other variations upon thediscussed embodiments are intended to be covered by the presentinvention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for capturing and transmitting digitaldata, the system comprising: a communication and photo capture devicefor capturing visual data in a digital format; a memory unit for storingthe visual data captured by the communication and photo capture device;a geo-coding capability for determining location data concerning alocation where the visual data is captured by the communication andphoto capture device, the location data being stored in the memory unit;an application executable to annotate the visual data with time-stampdata, the time-stamp data being stored in the memory unit; and awireless transmitter for secure transmission of the one or more of thefollowing over a wirelesses network to a target site: the visual data,the location data, and the time-stamp data, wherein the visual data ismaintained in a secure manner.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thevisual data includes individual digital images.
 3. The system of claim2, wherein the individual digital images are captured as a part of analbum.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual data includes video.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the time-stamp information includestime and date that the visual data was acquired.
 6. The system of claim1, wherein the time-stamp information includes time and date that thevisual data is transmitted to the target site.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein the visual data is transmitted concurrent with a user-generatedannotation about the visual data.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein theannotation is a text an audio recording, or a text obtained by voicerecognition.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual data, thelocation data, and the time-stamp data are transmitted immediately afteracquiring.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual data, thelocation data, and the time-stamp data are transmitted upon a userrequest.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the target site is a website designated by a user.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the targetsite is an electronic in-box designated by the user.
 13. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising an encryption module to encrypt verificationinformation in the visual data.
 14. The system of claim 1, whereinhashing is used to verify originality of one or more of the visual data,the location data, and the time-stamp data.
 15. The system of claim 14,wherein the hashing is used in combination with a digital signature toverify the originality of one or more of the visual data, the locationdata, and the time-stamp data.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein thehashing is used in combination with the digital signature andsteganography to verify the originality of one or more of the visualdata, the location data, and the time-stamp data.
 17. A method forcapturing and transmitting digital data, the method comprising:capturing visual data in a digital format; storing the captured visualdata in a digital format; acquiring location data based on a locationwhere the visual data is captured by a communication and photo capturedevice, the location data being stored in a memory unit; annotating thevisual data with time-stamp data, the time-stamp data being stored inthe memory unit; and securely transmitting the visual data, the locationdata, and the time-stamp data over a wireless network to a target site.18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: appending identificationinformation to the visual data; computing verification information forthe visual data; appending the verification information to the visualdata to be transmitted over the wireless network to a pre-designatedtarget site with no user input required to trigger transmission; andsecurely storing the visual data at the pre-designated target site. 19.The method of claim 17, wherein the visual data includes individualdigital images.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the individualdigital images are captured as a part of an album.